A CITY secondary school where pupils speak 28 different languages is celebrating after a Government inspector rated its English department as "good" and in some areas "outstanding".

More than half the pupils at Bemrose School, in Uttoxeter New Road, speak English as a second language – but the inspector from the Office for Standards in Education found it was not a barrier to success.

The Government watchdog spent two days carrying out the subject survey inspection at the 670-pupil school last month and has this week published its findings.

The inspector found that although 52% of the pupils speak a different language as their mother tongue – compared to the national average of just 12% – attainment in English is "good".

He also noted that although the majority of pupils started at the school with a low ability in English, they went on to make better-than-average progress because of the high standard of teaching.

The inspector said the curriculum was "outstanding", with teachers offering an "exceptionally wide range of provision carefully matched to the students' diverse language needs".

And he also praised the language centre at the school, which provides a six-week course in English for every child arriving in Derby from overseas.

The inspector, Bernard Campbell, said: "Students enjoy English lessons and are keen to improve. They value the opportunities to extend their vocabulary and develop their confidence in speaking.

"Lessons for new arrivals in the language centre, and recent arrivals in the school, are expertly conducted and well structured."

The school underwent a full Ofsted inspection less than six months ago, where inspectors judged it to be "good" in all areas.

Head teacher Jo Ward said: "Bemrose School has changed as Derby has evolved in the past few years.

"We are very proud that although we have many students who do not speak English as their first language, all our pupils make better-than-average progress during their years with us. The vast majority of our pupils love coming to school and value education and I'm delighted the inspector was able to see their enthusiasm for learning.

"I'm incredibly proud of the achievements of both staff and students and pleased that this second Ofsted report confirms the high standard of our work."

Overall leadership and management of the subject was also praised by the inspector and the staff are "skilful in extending students' vocabulary" as part of "consistently good teaching".